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The objective lenses are the main lenses used for focusing the image,
on the condenser. This produces an enlarged clear image that is then
magnified again by the eyepiece to form the primary image that is
seen by the eyes.
During imaging, the objective lenses remain parfocal in that, even
when the objective lens has changed the image still remains focused.
The image seen at the eyepiece is the enlarged clear image of the
specimen, known as the virtual image.
The magnification of the image is determined by the magnification of
the objective against the magnification of the eyepiece lens. The
objectives have a magnification power of 40x-1000x depending on
the type of brightfield microscope while the eyepiece lens has a
standard magnification power of 10x.
Therefore to calculate:
Total Magnification power = Magnification of the objective lens x
Magnification of the eyepiece
For example: if the magnification of the objective is 45x and that of
the eyepiece is 10x, the total magnification of the specimen will be
450x.
The magnification is standard, i.e not too high nor too low, and
therefore depending on the magnification power of the lenses, it will
range between 40X and 100oX.
The objective lens enlarges the image which can be viewed, a
characteristic known as resolution. Resolution according to Prescott,
is the ability of a lens to separate or distinguish between small
objects closely linked together.
Whereas the eyepiece magnifies the image at the end of the viewing,
its magnification range is lower than that of the objective lens at 8X-
12X (10X standard) and that of the objective lens at 40X-100X,
magnification, and resolution of the microscope is highly dependant
on the objective lens.
Applications of Brightfield microscope
Disadvantages
1. The aperture diaphragm may cause great contrast which may distort
the outcome of the image, therefore iris diaphragm is preferred.
2. It can not be used to view live specimens such as bacterial cells. Only
fixed specimens can be viewed under the brightfield microscope.
3. Maximum magnification of the brightfield microscope is 100x but
modification can readjust the magnification to 1000x which is the
optimum magnification of bacterial cells.
4. It has low contrast hence most specimens must be stained for them
to be visualized.
5. Use of oil immersion may distort the image
6. The use of coverslip may damage the specimen
7. Staining may introduce extraneously unwanted details into the
specimen or contaminate the specimen.
8. It is tedious to stain the specimen before visualizing it under the
brightfield microscope.
9. The microscope needs a strong light source for magnification and
sometimes the light source may produce a lot of heat which may
damage or kill the specimen.